The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-08-17
Nancy Fat.
From the Chicaao Herald.


Not long since there was a brief notice in the
papers of the death of Mrs. Gen. r B. Elliott.
wife of the negro Congress who few years
ago took such an active part in South Carolina
politics Possibly no woman of the present
century has experienced such sudden change
from indigence to opulence, or has risen 50
quickly in the social scale. Mrs. Elliott was
owned by a family in Columbia. S. c. Her
name was Nancy, but on account of her plump
figure she bore the suggestive appellation OF
Nancy Fat" She was an amiabe, humble
creature. Happy and indolent, with no am
bition or pride of character, she was as con
tented while engaged at the most mental toll
and drudgery as when, arrayed in fantastic and
gaudy attire, she danced as belle OF the
Shuckngs.
Daring the period of Republican rule Gen
Elliott while In Columbia was one afternoon
driving behind his splendid pair Of bays. He
was dressed in his usual style of black broad
cloth and lavender kid gloves. At the corner of
one of the streets he saw picture that proved
to be the key TO his destiny. II was Nancy
Fat She had just drawn bucket of water
from the pump, and it was balanced on her tur
baned head. the crystal drops trickling down
her brown face and neck, and she laughed good
naturedly. Her skirts were tucked high, and
there was generous display of bare feet and
ankles. The effect was instantaneous, and the
Congressman in broadcloth was hopelessy in
fatIated with the merry ignorant water carrier
The result was a speedy courtship and mar
riage. The transformation was as wonderful as it
was sudden. From the waShtub and cooking
stove she became mistress of q magnificent
home on one of the fashionable streets of
Columbia. Gen. Elliott was man of brilliont
intellect and uubounded ambition. He was one
of the leading spirits of the Republican party,
and was regarded as one of the most intelligent
negroes who was ever known in the South. He
was from Boston; he was finished scholar and
n successful lawyer His alliance with the I'M
tutored Nancy caused general surprise. Yet she
was received by his friends with courtesy and
kindness. One day was passing her house in
company with her former mistress, when we
espied sight that was droll and amusing.
Beside marble fountain, surrounded by rare
exotics, sat Mrs Elliott. She was arrayed in Il
costume of most extreme elegance. Peeping
from beneath her skirts of amber satin we
plainly saw her bare brown feet. AS she saw us
she Quickly tucked them under her skirts, and
exclaimed goodnaturedly:
Now, old missis, don't laugh at your niger;
you know | never did like the shoes. II the
General saw me he would scold, but every
chance get just slip them of All this finery
can't make me forget the happy days when ]
was plain Nancy Fat, and now am Mrs. Gen.
Congressman Elliott"
Much amused, we passed on. and left her with
her bare feet in the damp sand of the fountain
A few years later Mrs. Elliott became promi-
Dent feature in the Republican society Of the
state, and also figured conspicuously Ia Wash
ington II was during President Gnrfeld's ad-
ministmtion a. ons OF tine balls that she caused
such sensation on account of the devoted at.
tentipns she received from certain white poll
tcians who wished to make conspicuous their
approval OF the social equality law. The bril-
liant negro Congressman Is dead. And only
few days ago the woman whom he endeavored
10 elevate by all that wealth and power could do
died In poverty and obscuritv